gmnewlook Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 This look like the end for the RTS in The Hub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 An order for 60 XDE40s: http://www.newflyer.com/index/082714-massachusetts-bay-transportation It's actually a 20-bus option added to the earlier order for 40 XDE40's. This look like the end for the RTS in The Hub. Doubtful - there are approximately 100 RTS's left in service and only 60 new buses coming in at this time. The T does not have enough spare buses that would allow all of the RTS's to be retired, especially with the Neoplan AN460LF CNG buses crapping out pretty badly these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Interesting that these XDE40s are reportedly BAE Hybridrive with Series E anti-idling system! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bus_Medic Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Eek. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Interesting that these XDE40s are reportedly BAE Hybridrive with Series E anti-idling system! The first of 60 XDE40s went into service last week! http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/11/05/the-t-will-begin-rolling-out-its-new-line-of-hybrid-buses-wednesday/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashore_518203 Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 The first of 60 XDE40s went into service last week! http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/11/05/the-t-will-begin-rolling-out-its-new-line-of-hybrid-buses-wednesday/ I am not sure that the buses are in service. They may have done one trip for a photo opportunity but my impression is that it will still be another month or so before they enter service. They are still doing training for the operators at the Charlestown division where the XDE40 buses will be going. Bus 1402 was actually used last weekend in a charter for the Boston Street Railway Association. Photos are attached of the charter. It is actually a very nice riding bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtat Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I can confirm that the Xcelsiors are in revenue service. I rode on 1405 on the 104 yesterday and saw two on the 92 and 93 today. Someone also posted a photo on MassDOT's Twitter page of 1402 on the 111. The T issued an RFP for 325 40-foot hybrid and CNG buses today. I am not sure how many will be hybrid or CNG. These will replace the remaining RTS, the C40LFs, and all of the NABIs. There will be another RFP in the near future for 44 60-foot buses to replace the CNG AN460LFs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Seashore and swtat thanks for your contributions! Wow big potential order for NFI, Gillig, and Nova to get excited about. As for bus 1402, I would prefer aluminum wheels but it is a badass looking bus. Interesting that they have no "hybrid" markings. I bet its a smooth ride. I don't think I've ever been able to ride a BAE hybrid yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtat Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Correction to my previous post: The new 325 bus order will not be replacing all of the NABIs. Most of them will be replaced. This order will be for 150 hybrid and 175 CNG buses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Great news to see this order! Glad that MassDOT and the MBTA have accelerated the plans to purchase these new buses. Hmmmm ... 175 new CNG's would replace the Cabot NABI buses one-for-one. Maybe Arborway garage will be switching to hybrids? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Transit Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 The contact is going to be awarded on low bid...also, there's a possible 200 additional option on it...low bid may favor either Nova Bus or NFI...I don't think Gillig will be interested in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 The contact is going to be awarded on low bid...also, there's a possible 200 additional option on it...low bid may favor either Nova Bus or NFI...I don't think Gillig will be interested in it. How many buses have to be delivered in a single year? I seem to recall that Gillig generally doesn't compete if they have to produce more than 80 buses in a year. Don't quote me on that though, its not verified officially but does seem to be a good rule of thumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Gillig did not bid on either of the MBTA's last two orders for diesel buses, FWIW. I would be surprised if they bid on this one but maybe things have changed under the Henry Crown ownership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctrabs74 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 How many buses have to be delivered in a single year? I seem to recall that Gillig generally doesn't compete if they have to produce more than 80 buses in a year. Don't quote me on that though, its not verified officially but does seem to be a good rule of thumb. Gillig completed an order for 160 buses for PAT in Pittsburgh in 2003 and a subsequent order of 92 buses in 2006. Those are the only 80+ bus orders I'm aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Record ridership in October: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/11/28/mbta-officials-trumpet-record-ridership-october/Hn2ZbJmUNgyaRWQLOMUtCJ/story.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtat Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Looks like the MBTA may become the launch customer for the New Flyer XE60. "The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston will receive funding to develop and deploy five 60-foot articulated New Flyer battery-electric buses on the MBTA Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit System. The new zero-emission buses will have improved performance on ice and snow-covered roads." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Looks like the MBTA may become the launch customer for the New Flyer XE60. "The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston will receive funding to develop and deploy five 60-foot articulated New Flyer battery-electric buses on the MBTA Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit System. The new zero-emission buses will have improved performance on ice and snow-covered roads." Wow! (and whats up with the bit about improved performance on ice and snow--because of traction control?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patfromigh Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Wow! (and whats up with the bit about improved performance on ice and snow--because of traction control?) My guess is hub motors along with traction control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 My guess is hub motors along with traction control. !!! I hope so. I appreciate your contributions and would love to see you pipe up more on this board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC40102N Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 In a few years later. MBTA will need to replace the Neoplan trolley buses with NFI XT40 or something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashore_518203 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 In a few years later. MBTA will need to replace the Neoplan trolley buses with NFI XT40 or something else? Why ??? The Neoplans are only 11 years old. The electric motors in trolleys last longer than an average diesel bus. With a mid life refurbishment, trolley buses can easily last 30 years. The Flyer E800 buses that the Neoplans replaced lasted almost 30 years so I would expect the Neoplans to do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Why ??? The Neoplans are only 11 years old. The electric motors in trolleys last longer than an average diesel bus. With a mid life refurbishment, trolley buses can easily last 30 years. The Flyer E800 buses that the Neoplans replaced lasted almost 30 years so I would expect the Neoplans to do the same. Exactly - the Neoplan TT's appear to be doing fine and the North Cambridge staff has a great reputation for keeping their fleet well-maintained. SEPTA seems to be having many more problems with their New Flyer electric buses than the MBTA is having with this fleet. Also, the coaches have relatively low mileage totals due to the frequent diesel bustitutions of the lines associated with road construction projects. I wouldn't be surprised if these end up being the last Neoplan transit buses running in North America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doglover44 Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Glad to see a system that still operates RTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 That XE60 better be worth it. Them artic cost a million a piece. But what we haven't seen are some LFS trolleys. Thoee could look good in Boston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Glad to see a system that still operates RTS Speaking of the RTS, where is the best place to see them in Boston? Which T station would be best to spot them or which parts of town can I see the RTS. Are they running all day or only used during peak/rush hour service? I will be in Boston in mid-May and would like to see and ride the RTS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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